FLUSHING, N.Y. - The Queens College baseball team began its final East Coast Conference series of the regular season with a 3-0 triumph over Mercy College Friday afternoon at Hennekens Stadium.  In a game with 17 scoreless half innings, the Knights plated all three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Knights, held to just six hits in the contest, were led by sophomore Cameron Burt's brilliant start.  The right hander went eight innings, allowing three hits while striking out four and walking five.  Junior Jorge Ruiz pitched the final frame for his fifth save of the season.

In the fifth inning, singles by junior Joseph Pidoto and sophomore Thomas Parish opened the frame and put runners on the corners.  Pidoto came down the line on a wild pitch with QC's first run.  After a walk to sophomore Matthew Walsh and bunt single loaded the bases, junior Joe Morris collected a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Parish.  Later in the frame, senior JP Koulotouros was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, scoring Walsh.

Mercy starter Matt Snyder took the loss, allowing three runs and six hits in seven innings with seven strikeouts.  The Knights and Mavericks continue their four game set Saturday at 12:00 pm.